SkyTrackPro App – Pilot Manual (iOS & Android)
This guide explains how to install, configure, and fly with the SkyTrackPro app on iOS and Android. It is written for pilots and covers recording flights, navigation, live tracking, offline maps, alerts, the flight computer features (Thermal Assistant, On Final Glide, XC Guide, Side View, Wind tile…), the Flight Layout Editor, external hardware (AeroRemote, Bluetooth varios) and the Feature Demo for testing everything on the ground.
Most chapters include a short YouTube video from our channel @skytrackpro – tap any video to see the feature in action.
1. Introduction
SkyTrackPro is a modern flight assistant for paraglider and hang glider pilots. It combines a powerful flight computer, live tracking, competition task support and detailed flight analysis in one app, tightly connected to the SkyTrackPro website.
You can fly with SkyTrackPro in three main ways:
- Free flights: start recording and just fly.
- XC flights: use the XC Guide to plan and track an open distance, flat or FAI triangle.
- Task flying: follow a predefined task with SSS, TPs, ESS and goal line/cylinder.
- Live tracking: share your position in real time with friends, clubs or competitions.
This manual walks through the app step by step. You can read it in order or jump directly to the section you need using the navigation pills above. Short YouTube video demos are embedded in most chapters – tap the play button to see each feature in action.
2. Installation & first setup
2.1 Install the app
- iOS: Open the App Store and search for “SkyTrackPro”.
- Android: Open Google Play and search for “SkyTrackPro”.
2.2 Connect with your SkyTrackPro account
- Open the app.
- Go to the Account or Profile area.
- Log in with your SkyTrackPro website account.
- Once logged in, flights and settings can sync with the website.
The login area also lets you reset your password or create a new account directly from the app.
2.3 First setup in one minute
Quick walkthrough of the very first launch:
3. Main Screen – Flight Page (Your Cockpit)
The Flight Page is your main cockpit view. It shows all important values during the flight and is the screen you will use most of the time.
3.1 What you see
- Data tiles: show speed, altitude, vario, glide ratio, distance, time, wind, and many more.
- Compass / heading: shows your current track and heading relative to north and the task.
- Map view: shows your position, track and task geometry (turnpoints, cylinders, goal line). Recent versions use a redesigned 2/3 map layout with a dedicated tile panel on the side.
- Side view tile: a vertical profile showing the terrain ahead, airspaces and your projected glide line.
3.2 Glider, task and quick edits
- The active Glider and Task are shown in the top area of the Flight Page. SkyTrackPro remembers the last-used glider so it becomes the default for your next flight.
- Tap the glider or task name to jump directly to an edit shortcut – handy for last-minute changes on launch.
3.3 Map orientation & auto-zoom
- Orientation: North up, Heading up, or Circling north (rotates only while circling).
- Follow mode: the puck stays near the centre of the map; recentre happens only when the puck reaches the edge to avoid nervous map jumps.
- Auto-zoom: zooms in while circling and out on glide – decoupled from follow mode so panning the map does not break it.
- Puck compass rose: optional north-fixed compass ring around the live-flight puck.
3.4 Build your perfect flight screen
▶ Watch on YouTube: SkyTrackPro: Build Your Perfect Flight Screen
4. Tiles & map area
Tiles are the building blocks of your Flight Page. Each tile shows one metric (altitude, vario, speed, wind, glide ratio…) and can be moved, resized and styled from the Flight Layout Editor.
4.1 Big metrics in side view while circling
Some tile types show different content based on the flight phase. For example the Side View tile shows the big metrics (altitude, climb rate) in large numbers while you are circling and switches back to the terrain profile and glide line during glides.
4.2 Wind tile
The Wind tile shows a rotating arrow pointing in the wind direction, the wind speed (capped at a sensible 60 km/h to avoid runaway noise), and climb-layer information. Tap the tile to see a per-altitude breakdown of wind and thermal layers built up during the flight.
The wind estimator uses a circling cosine fit plus an altitude-banded store, so the value updates smoothly as you climb through different layers.
▶ Watch on YouTube: Check Wind Conditions Instantly with the Wind Tile
4.3 Side View tile
- Vertical profile of the terrain along your current heading or to the next target.
- Overlays the active airspaces so you can see the floor/ceiling at a glance.
- Draws your projected glide line based on the current glide ratio – a quick visual check for terrain clearance.
4.4 Vario tiles
- Numeric vario, averaged vario and last-thermal average.
- Climb-layer indicator showing how strong each altitude band has been.
- Smoothed GPS-derived vario that holds the last value across short event gaps.
4.5 Map tile
- Recent versions use a 2/3 map / 1/3 tile panel layout by default.
- Choose map style: none, flat, light, outdoor, outdoor topo, dark or gray.
- Thermal raster overlay with adjustable opacity (20–70%).
5. Flight Layout Editor
The Flight Layout Editor is where you arrange the tiles you want to see during the flight. Each layout can have a portrait and a landscape page and supports several presets (e.g. thermalling, XC, competition).
5.1 Working in the editor
- Drag a tile to move it anywhere on the canvas.
- Tap a tile to change its metric, style or size.
- + button adds a new tile – pick a metric then drop it.
- Snap to grid toggle for precise alignment.
- Center guides snap a tile to the horizontal or vertical center when dragged near it.
- Map button chooses how much of the screen the map takes (full, 2/3, ½, off) and which map style to use.
- Help sheet in the editor (question-mark button) summarises all gestures.
5.2 Share layouts via QR
Long-press a layout slot to share it as a QR code. Friends can scan the code to import the layout instantly – no account or upload required.
5.3 Cloud sync (upload & download)
Upload your favourite layouts to your SkyTrackPro account so they are available on every device. Browse and download layouts shared by other pilots.
▶ Watch on YouTube: How to Upload & Download your Flight Layouts
6. Recording a flight
6.1 Basic recording flow
- On launch site, open the Flight Page.
- The app will check your GPS status – wait until it shows a green button with Start.
- Press Start.
- Fly your flight.
- After landing, press End.
▶ Watch on YouTube: How to Start and Record a Flight in SkyTrackPro
After stopping the flight, the app saves the track locally and offers an upload sheet to sync it to the SkyTrackPro website for further analysis, scoring and sharing.
6.2 Pausing, resuming and aborted flights
- Aborted flight on launch: If you pressed Start but did not really fly, you can simply discard the short track afterwards.
- Battery or app restart: The app protects your recording and will resume from the last recorded state when relaunched. Check after landing that the track is complete.
- Background recording: A foreground service keeps the GPS alive when the screen is off. The notification uses a paraglider silhouette icon.
7. Tasks & task navigation
SkyTrackPro supports full task navigation including SSS (start), turnpoints, ESS (end of speed section) and goal (line or cylinder). Tasks are usually created on the website, built in the app or shared by organizers via QR.
7.1 Import waypoints & build a task
- Open the Tasks tab.
- Import a waypoint file (CUP, GPX or XCTSK) or pick from the public list.
- Tap New task, add the SSS, turnpoints, ESS and goal.
- Adjust radii (10 m increments, 0 not allowed), turn directions and times.
- Tasks default to a deadline of 23:00 – override per task if needed.
- Unsaved changes prompt before leaving.
▶ Watch on YouTube: How to Import Waypoints and Build a Task
7.2 Edit tasks (start gates, turnpoints, radius)
Each turnpoint has a unified actions dropdown with a drag handle so you can reorder, edit or remove turnpoints quickly. Start gates support multiple SSS times.
▶ Watch on YouTube: How to Edit Tasks (Start Gates, Turnpoints, Radius)
7.3 Import via QR & Task Study
Organizers can publish a task as a QR code – scan it from the Tasks tab to load all turnpoints in a couple of seconds. Task Study opens a dedicated map with a centre crosshair and live ground elevation so you can analyse the line and the terrain before launch.
▶ Watch on YouTube: How to Import a Task via QR Code & Use Task Study
7.4 SSS, turnpoints, ESS and goal
- SSS (Start cylinder / sector): detected when you enter the correct start area after the start time.
- Turnpoints: each cylinder/sector is checked; once you tag it, the app moves on to the next leg automatically.
- ESS: end of speed section for race tasks. Your racing time stops when you enter the ESS area.
- Goal: can be a cylinder or a line. SkyTrackPro implements FAI 2026 compliant goal-line direction and crossing detection – the entire line is valid within a 5 m margin in the correct orientation.
Once a task is active, the map and navigation tiles show the optimised route, distance to the current turnpoint, bearing, estimated time and other useful metrics.
8. Airspace & obstacle alerts
SkyTrackPro can warn you about nearby airspace and obstacles (masts, powerlines, cable cars and other critical objects), depending on the data available for your region and which files you have loaded.
8.1 Install airspace
Download official airspace for your region directly from the SkyTrackPro servers, or upload your own OpenAir / AIXM file.
▶ Watch on YouTube: How to Install Airspace in SkyTrackPro
8.2 Enable or disable airspace
Each loaded airspace file can be enabled/disabled. Useful when you fly in a different region or want to temporarily silence non-relevant zones.
▶ Watch on YouTube: How to Enable or Disable Airspace
8.3 Add obstacle warnings
Obstacle databases are loaded as MBTiles. They include power lines, cable cars, masts and similar critical objects. The benchmark scenarios in the Feature Demo use the same logic as in flight.
▶ Watch on YouTube: How to Add Obstacle Warnings
8.4 How alerts behave
- Instant alert: As soon as you are within your configured warning distance, the app triggers an alert.
- Sticky warning card: A warning card remains visible while you are inside the configured range.
- Live distance: The card continuously shows the current horizontal or vertical distance, whichever is more critical.
- Sound: A warning sound is played once when you enter the range. If you exit and later re-enter, the sound plays again.
- Auto clear: When you are back outside the warning distance, the alert disappears automatically.
- Disable: Tap the alert to silence this specific airspace/obstacle for 1 hour.
9. Thermal Assistant
The Thermal Assistant draws a live map overlay around your circles showing where the lift was strongest. It helps you re-centre into the core, especially in broken or drifting thermals.
- Auto-zooms while you circle so the overlay stays readable.
- Colour-coded dots show climb intensity sample by sample.
- Works alongside the seasonal Thermal Map raster (different feature, see Tiles).
- Enable it under Settings → Vario / Maps.
9.1 Test it on the ground
Use the Feature Demo to test the Thermal Assistant without flying.
10. On Final Glide & McCready
On Final Glide turns the flight computer into a glide calculator that tells you – at any moment – whether you can reach the next target (turnpoint, ESS, goal or any custom point) at safe altitude.
10.1 What it shows
- Arrival altitude / margin over the target, with a colour band (red / orange / green / elevated).
- Time to go (TTG), wind-corrected with your current trim speed.
- Next-target preview in the minimised banner – you still see the next leg even when collapsed.
- First-target flag highlights the first turnpoint you have not tagged yet.
- Arrival margin stays live during thermals so you can decide whether one more climb is needed.
10.2 McCready speed-to-fly
SkyTrackPro implements McCready theory using your glider polar profile:
- Reads the polar from your selected glider.
- Uses either the rolling last-thermal average, or a manual McCready override (m/s).
- Suggests the speed to fly so that each glide is matched to the conditions you expect to climb out of next.
▶ Watch on YouTube: On Final Glide – Reach Goal Faster
11. XC Guide
The XC Guide turns a free flight into a guided cross-country: pick a plan before launch (or let the app pick automatically) and the flight page will show the target line, FAI sectors, distance to the next leg and the current candidate score.
11.1 Plans
- Straight: open distance from launch.
- Flat triangle: three legs, free shape.
- FAI triangle: classic 28% rule, the app draws the valid FAI sectors live on the map.
- Auto: picks the best candidate during the flight.
11.2 Settings & behaviour
- Ask plan before free flight (toggle).
- Remember last-used plan as default.
- Activate after a configurable distance (km) or time (min).
- Show / hide the top XC card, the map overlay, the sectors and labels.
- Custom map target point for ad-hoc waypoints.
- Allow in-flight mode switch.
(Video guide coming soon – ping us if you’d like one prioritised.)
12. Live tracking & Buddies overlay
Live tracking broadcasts your position to the SkyTrackPro servers so that friends, family or competition organizers can follow you in real time. The new Buddies overlay shows the live position of other pilots from a chosen group directly on your flight map.
12.1 Starting live tracking
- Open Settings → Tracking and enable Live tracking on start.
- Start your flight as usual with Start Flight.
The app periodically sends your position, altitude, speed and climb rate to the SkyTrackPro live tracking backend. If the network is temporarily unavailable, points are buffered and sent later where possible.
12.2 Buddies overlay
- Enable Buddies overlay under Settings → Tracking.
- Pick a group ID (your club, your XC crew, a competition…).
- Pilots in that group appear as labelled markers on your flight map, with their last-known altitude and climb rate.
12.3 Live tracking on the website
- Visitors can open the SkyTrackPro live tracking page.
- Groups, clubs or competitions can have their own live pages.
- Tracks can be coloured by climb/sink, show tasks and rankings.
- From the app, tap your name/flight to jump to the linked profile and flight pages on skytrackpro.app.
13. Offline maps
SkyTrackPro supports offline vector maps so you can navigate even without mobile coverage. Offline maps typically include base map, contour lines and hillshade.
13.1 Downloading regions
- Open the Offline maps section in the app settings.
- Select a square or multiple squares on the map.
- Start the download (select the quality you want) and wait until the status shows Complete.
Downloads are stored locally on the device. You can remove regions later to free up space.
13.2 Using offline maps in flight
- When you are offline, the app automatically falls back to offline tiles.
- You can still see your position, track, tasks and airspaces (if included).
- Zoom levels depend on the downloaded region and its level of detail.
▶ Watch on YouTube: SkyTrackPro – Offline Maps Setup & Management
14. Flight replay & Logbook
Flight replay lets you review previous flights and see exactly what happened: line, speed, climb, thermals and more. The Logbook is the place where every recorded flight lives on the device.
14.1 Opening a replay
- Open the Logbook tab.
- Select a flight from the list.
- Tap Replay.
14.2 Map behaviour during replay
- The pilot icon moves along the recorded track over time.
- The map only recentres when the pilot approaches the edge of the visible area.
- This keeps the camera movement smooth and avoids nervous map jumps.
14.3 Import / export IGC
- From the Logbook’s action menu you can Import IGC from a local file (handy to replay someone else’s flight).
- Export all IGC writes every flight to a folder of your choice for backup or third-party scoring.
- You can also delete all flights from the same menu (with confirmation).
15. AeroRemote & Bluetooth vario
SkyTrackPro talks to a growing list of external hardware so that you can keep your phone in the harness pocket and still control the cockpit.
15.1 Pair & program AeroRemote
- Pair the AeroRemote (GATT) over Bluetooth.
- Assign actions to digit buttons (0–9): short press, long press or repeat. Map actions like Zoom in / out, Next page, Mute vario, Mark thermal, Start / End flight…
- Alternative HID-keyboard mode if your remote acts as a generic keyboard.
▶ Watch on YouTube: How to Pair and Program AeroRemote
15.2 External Bluetooth vario
- Pair a Bluetooth vario (e.g. XCTracer, Skytraxx and compatible models).
- Choose which streams to use from the device: GPS, baro and/or FLARM.
- SkyTrackPro will use the external vario for climb sound and altitude while keeping the phone’s GPS as a fallback.
- Configure the audio vario tone profile (Thomas-Ruf-compatible) under Settings → Vario.
▶ Watch on YouTube: How to Pair and Use an External Bluetooth Vario
16. Feature Demo
The Feature Demo lets you exercise the flight page on the ground with a simulated flight. It is the safest way to learn the app, test your layout, hear the vario sound and trigger every warning – without cluttering your logbook.
16.1 Access the Feature Demo
▶ Watch on YouTube: How to Access the Feature Demo (Warnings, Sounds & Metrics)
16.2 Test your flight screen without flying
▶ Watch on YouTube: Test Your Flight Screen Without Flying
16.3 Built-in scenarios
- Airspace + Cable benchmark: aligned launch altitude with other scenarios, demonstrates airspace and cable obstacle alerts.
- Coll de Rates and other real-world starts.
- On Final Glide previews every state (red, orange, green, elevated) of the arrival banner.
- Thermal Assistant with a circling demo so you can tune sound thresholds before the real flight.
17. Settings overview
The settings area controls units, audio behaviour, map style, alerts, language and your layout presets. Here are the most important options.
17.1 Units & display
- Altitude: metres or feet.
- Speed: km/h, mph or knots.
- Distance: km, miles or nautical miles.
- Coordinate format: decimal, degrees/minutes or degrees/minutes/seconds.
- Earth model: WGS84 or FAI sphere.
- Track tail: length of the recorded line drawn on the live map.
17.2 Audio vario
- Enable or disable audio vario.
- Adjust sink and climb thresholds.
- Edit the multiline Thomas-Ruf-compatible tone profile.
- Control volume and tone behaviour to match your style.
17.3 Map & layout
- Map style: none / flat / outdoor / outdoor topo / dark / gray.
- Flight layout: open the layout editor to move and resize tiles.
- Presets: store different layouts for thermalling, XC, competition etc.
- Save: a copy of your layout on the server, for easy recovery.
- Touch gestures: enable/disable pan/zoom on the live flight map (useful with a remote control).
- Puck compass rose: show a north-fixed compass ring around the live puck.
17.4 Alerts & safety
- Configure airspace / obstacle warning distances (horizontal and vertical).
- Enable or disable sound for different alert types.
- Download airspace or obstacle areas from the SkyTrackPro website.
- Upload your custom airspace or obstacle files.
- Set QNH and the maximum controlled altitude threshold.
17.5 Battery saving
- Keep screen on during flight – default on.
- Battery save mode – dims the screen after 30 s / 1 min / 2 min of inactivity.
17.6 Language
SkyTrackPro currently ships in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese (PT) and Portuguese (BR). Change it under Settings → Other.
▶ Watch on YouTube: How to Change Language in SkyTrackPro
18. Tips for better flights
- Before launch: Check GPS status, battery level, map coverage, active task (if any) and selected glider.
- Use a harness mount: Keep the phone where you can see it easily without twisting.
- Protect your battery: Lower screen brightness, use offline maps, consider airplane mode if you do not need data, and enable Battery Save mode.
- Try the Feature Demo first: Test new layouts, sounds and alerts on the ground.
- Review after flight: Use replay and analysis on the website to learn from your climbs and transitions.
- Task familiarisation: Before a competition task, use Task Study to walk through the line and check radii / turn directions if defined by the rules.
19. Troubleshooting
| Problem | Possible cause | What you can try |
|---|---|---|
| No GPS or very bad position | Location permission denied, GPS disabled, or phone inside a bag or pocket. | Check app permissions, enable location, move the phone where it has clear sky view, and wait for a full fix before launch. |
| Battery drops too fast | Screen brightness high, mobile data + GPS + live tracking all on. | Use offline maps, reduce brightness, close other apps and consider a power bank for very long flights. When using a power bank, set your battery settings on the phone to 80% battery charge only! |
| Task did not finish at goal | Wrong task active, wrong goal type or you did not fully cross the line/cylinder. Your flight might still be valid – check first. | Check task details, goal definition and replay the flight to see the exact track relative to the goal line or cylinder. |
| No live tracking on the website | No mobile coverage, or live tracking disabled in the app. | Verify you are logged in, enable live tracking, and check if the area has data coverage; buffered points may upload once signal returns. |
| Map appears grey / missing tiles | No network and no offline region downloaded for this area. | Download offline maps for your flying area in advance over Wi-Fi, or ensure mobile data is available and maps are allowed to download via mobile data. |
| AeroRemote does not respond | Pairing was lost, or remote is in HID mode while app is in GATT mode (or vice-versa). | Re-pair from Settings → Remote control, choose the correct mode (AeroRemote GATT or HID keyboard), and re-assign your digit bindings. |
| External Bluetooth vario silent | Device not paired, or its GPS/Baro streams are disabled in the app. | Open Settings → Vario, enable External vario, pair the device and toggle on Use device GPS / Baro as needed. |
If a problem repeats and you cannot solve it, note your device model, operating system and a short description and contact the SkyTrackPro support team via the website or within the app in the debug section.
20. Privacy & data
SkyTrackPro stores and processes data in order to provide flight logs, live tracking and analysis. We try to keep things simple and transparent.
20.1 What the app stores
- Your flights and track logs (on the device and, if you choose, on the server).
- Live tracking positions when you enable live tracking.
- Basic account data such as name, email and pilot profile.
- Your configuration: units, layout, map settings, alert preferences, paired vario / remote, last-used glider.
20.2 Control and deletion
- You can delete flights from your logbook.
- You can disable live tracking at any time.
- You can request deletion of your account and associated data via the SkyTrackPro website according to our privacy policy.
For full legal details, please refer to the official SkyTrackPro privacy policy.